Gillian Wynn-Lawson

Foraging Sorrow

Scanned sun prints of various organic material such as sticks, leaves, grasses. Gathered in the fall of 2022.

“After the sudden loss of someone dear to me, I found myself searching for ways to process my grief through creative methods. I was aware of a strong emotional connection to the environment and my photographic practice. My gaze was drawn to pieces of the environment, fragments of a whole landscape, while my mind was processing all the emotions that follow loss. Combined with an interest in camera-less images, this led me to forage decaying, organic material in an attempt to move through my emotional states. These ghostly imprints of decaying life are scanned versions of the original sun prints. This hands-on process became ritualistic in its nature, and in my desire to process grief. The visible markings and brush strokes are proof of my hand, proof I was here with them throughout their creation. This work is an exchange between myself. ”